Nicholas B. Hoban, formerly of Sharon, and his wife, JoLynn (Kaikis) Hoban, formerly of Farrell, completed the all-cash deal last week with Career Education Corp. CEC touts itself as the world's largest provider of culinary arts education.

The 41-year-olds founded the school in 1986 and now has 900 students with annual net revenue of $26 million. Employing 200, the culinary and hospitality college offers associate degree programs in culinary arts, hotel/restaurant management and pastry arts.

They continue to own the 23-story Clark building in the city's cultural district which should not be confused with the Clark Bar building on Pittsburgh's North Side. Hoban will continue with the school focusing on marketing and operations issues while Mrs. Hoban will continue with Hoban Realty, the family's other Pittsburgh business.

Hoban is the son of Derethea Hoban, Cranberry Township, and W. Nicholas Hoban, Clearwater, Fla. Mrs. Hoban is the daughter of Jim and Norma Kaikis, Farrell.